^^^^^Isn't he just a peach, that Veteran_Youth? ^^^^
Hey 32flavours said so.

I sent this to traffic services.

Good Day Officers:

I was informed by a biking officer, that as a cyclist in Toronto, I am allowed to take the curb lane. Today I was doing just that and riding as if I were a car, complete with waiting in line at the red. I was buzzed by a mini-van about six inches from my elbow as it straddled the lanes on the way to work. I calmly drove up to the drivers' window, where he informed me that he "knew" the law and I should be in that two foot strip of filth. We weren't being nasty it was a civil exchange.

If I'm allowed to take the lane, how is a car supposed to pass? By straddling the lanes and cutting me off? This seems to be the preferred method by Toronto drivers'. I've been a competitive cyclist for twenty-five years and a messenger in the 80's in Montreal, my skills are such that I fear no car. However had I been a nervous biker this man may have led to my crashing and being killed in traffic this morning.

Is there a web reference.... where I can see the law regarding my right to take the lane, rules regarding the inevitable passes as well as the possible charges penalties for not passing safely? I would love to print it so that I may give it to drivers who "know" the law.

It's quite disturbing to have a car revving it's engine eight inches from my back wheel. If I fall I'm dead. I've never encountered such overtly aggressive drivers as the Toronto rush hour and this is the only city in Canada I've ever feared for my life as a cyclist.

I know there alot of bad drivers AND cyclist out there, but drivers, being shielded by a ton of metal, are rolling weapons if they are unaware of how to position themselves in regards to other road users.

I think a road blitz/education campaign is needed before more cyclists are killed on our streets. If drivers don't start backing off the idea they own the roadway there is sure to be an unpleasant series of encounters this years as more and more tax paying citizens start using the most eco-friendly and non-obtrusive method of transport devised by man.

That said I've never EVER seen a car trying to honk or otherwise hassle bike officers off to the filth strip on the side of the road. Can I have one of your jackets? Just joking.

Thanks for your time. I hope to emailed a link or some text referring to the actual laws on the books.

Thanks for all the good work you do.